FRANLIN COUNTY, NC - WILLS - John Richards, 27 Oct 1796
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Franklin County, North Carolina, Wills and Inventories
Vol B, pp 31-31A

In the Name of God Amen I John Richards of Franklin County being weak 
In body but of clear and disposing mind and memory do make and 
constitute this my last will and testament  In manner and form 
following and desire that ________ by all as such Hereby revoking 
any other will or wills by me made heretofore Blessed be God Imprimis 
I bequeath my soul to God that gave it humbly beseaching his gracious 
acceptance of it the merit (?) of a most compassionate Redeemer who 
I trust will not reject a returning penitent that comes to him for 
mercy --

Item - I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be 
decently buried at the discretion of my wife and my executor herein 
after mentioned as to any worldly goods I dispose of them as follows

First I           positively order that all my debts and funeral 
charges be paid

Item - I give and bequeath to my wife Francis Richards during her 
natural life or widowhood the whole of my stock of all kinds except 
one young mare            which I give to my son Willis Richards 
together with all my household goods and plantation utensils also 
four negroes to wit Amy, Mink, Hame, and Cole of the debts     can be 
paid without selling  If not I desire Hame to be sold  Also I desire 
that this tract of land whereon I now live to be equally divided 
among my four youngest sons to wit, Willis, Berrell, John and William  
at the discretion of      
the land according to quantity or quality equally among them which 
last division is to be made whenever Willis Richards the oldest of 
the four above mentioned sons calls for his equal part or provided 
always that my wife, Francis Richards is to enjoy a free and quiet 
possession of the plantation whereon I now live with as much land 
adjoining thereto as she at her discretion may think fit to cultivate 
until the youngest son come to age and before that when the youngest 
son is of age that the Negroes, stock and household goods may be 
equally divided amongst all my children or the survivors of them.  
My wife also having so held part of the            that may and 
further I do herein appoint my eldest son Williamson Richards my 
Executor and my wife Francis Richards Executrix to execute this my 
last will and testament  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and affix my seal this 27th day of October in the year of our 
Lord 1796

                                                his
                                            John X Richards
                                                mark
Signed and seald in the presence of
John Strother
John Cooly


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